Soldering iron



NOV. 7, 1939. J sH ps JR 2,178,814

SOLDERING IRON Filed June 8, 1959 2 $heets-$heet l Inventor 06 5&2 372 96; 7)-

Attorneys Nov. 7, 1939. J. SHIMPS. JR

SOLDERING IRON Filed 'June 8, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l ll ll' m lnuenior l By Attorneys Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SOLD'ERING IRON Application June 8, 1939, Serial No. 278,162

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved soldering iron and more particularly to a type characterized by novel solder-feeding means; and the invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Figure l is a perspective view of a soldering iron constructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventive conception.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough with certain parts shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a solder-feeding tube and air bulb connected therewith.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional View showing the manner of connecting the feeding tube with the bulb and the follower arranged in the feeding tube.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the follower.

Figure 7 is also a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 'I-'I of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a bar of solder.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that the soldering iron comprises a handle embodying a grip Ill of wood or other suitable material into one end of which is threaded a tubular shank II.

Laterally of the shank II the grip I is provided with a longitudinal bore I2 through which extends an end portion of a solder bar-feed tube I3.

Threaded on the free end of the feed tube I3 and the shank I I is a soldering tip I4 that at its major end is provided with a threaded opening I that receives the threaded end of the feed tube I3, and a threaded opening I6 which receives the threaded free end of the shank II.

The tip I4 is provided with orifice I'I through which the solder in liquid form discharges.

The feed tube I3 is adapted to receive a bar I8 of solder, and a follower-piston I9 has a sliding fit within the tube I3 behind the bar II! for feeding the bar longitudinally of the tube I3 towards the tip I4.

On the end of the tube I3 remote from the tip I4 is a bulb I9a. that at one end thereof is provided with an opening that receives the flanged end 20 of the tube I3. On said end of the tube I3 is a clamping collar 2| that cooperates with the flange Zli for securing said end of the tube I3 to the bulb I9a.

At the flanged end 20 thereof the tube I3 is provided with an air orifice 22 that is of materially smaller diameter than the diameter of the tube and through which, by proper compressing of the bulb ISa, air is forced into the tube I3 to act on the piston I9 for causing the latter to move longitudinally within the tube I3 for feeding the bar-solder I8 towards the tip I4.

The shank II of the handle accommodates an electrical heating element 23 that has contact with the soldering tip I4 as shown in Figure 2 for heating the tip I l and consequently melting the solder at the point of connection between the tube 53 and the orifice I'l' in the tip I4.

For the heating element 22 there is provided an electric cord 23 that extends through a bore 24 provided therefor in the hand grip Ill.

Also for the cord 23 there is provided at the heel end of the hand grip Ill a guide tube 25 formed integral with an attaching flange 26 secured by screws or other fastening elements 21 to the underside of the grip ID. The tube extends at an acute angle to the flange 26 and also serves as a finger grip for convenient holding of the tool with the bulb I901. fitting in the g5 palm of the hand gripping the tool so as to be readily compressed for producing the necessary air pressure to force the follower I9 through the feed tube I3.

The bulb I9a, as clearly shown in Figure 2, 30 is also provided with an air release valve 28.

From the above it will be apparent that as the melted solder is being used the operator presses on the bulb I90. for forcing air into the tube I3 to act against the piston I9. In response to such air pressure the piston I9 moves longitudinally of the tube I3 for forcing the bar of solder I8 towards the soldering point where, through contact with the heated point I4, the bar is melted, the melted solder discharging through the orifice I! in the point I4 onto the work.

It is thought that the many advantages of a soldering iron of this character will be apparent to those skilled in the art; and further detailed description of the construction, operation and utility is therefore deemed unnecessary.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In a soldering iron of the class described, 5 a handle including a hand grip having a tubular shank extending longitudinally therefrom, a soldering point on the free end of said shank, a solder-bar feed tube extending between said hand grip and said point and connected at its respective opposite ends with said grip and point, respectively, said soldering point having a discharge orifice therein extending to said feed tube, said feed tube being adapted to accommodate solder in bar form, a follower mounted in the feed tube for forcing the solder-bar towards the soldering point, air pressure producing means connected with said feed tube adjacent said grip, and an electrical heating device arranged within said shank and having direct contact with said soldering point for heating the latter.

2. In a soldering iron of the class described, a handle including a hand grip having a tubular shank extending longitudinally therefrom, a soldering point on the free end of said shank, a solder-bar feed tube extending between said hand grip and said point and connected at its respective opposite ends with said grip and point, respectively, said soldering point having a discharge orifice therein extending to said feed tube, said feed tube being adapted to accommodate solder in bar form, a follower mounted the feed tube for forcing the solderbar towards the soldering point, air pressure producing means connected with said feed tube adjacent said hand grip, and an electrical heating device arranged within said shank and hav ing direct contact with said soldering point for heating the latter, said air pressure producing means being in the form of a collapsible bulb.

3. In a soldering iron of the class described, a handle including a hand grip having a tubular shank extending longitudinally therefrom, a soldering point on the free end or" said shank, a solder-bar feed tube extending between said hand grip and said point and connected at its respective opposite ends with said grip and point, respectively, said soldering point having a discharge orifice therein extending to said feed tube, said feed tube being adapted to accommodate solder in bar form, a follower mounted in the feed tube for forcing the solder-bar towards the soldering point, air pressure producing means connected with said feed tube adjacent said hand grip, and an electrical heating device ar ranged within said shank and having direct contact with said soldering point for heating the latter, said heating element having an electric cord connected therewith and extending through an orifice provided therefor in said hand grip, and a combination finger grip and cord protector tube mounted on said hand grip and through which said cord is trained.

4. In a soldering iron of the class described, a handle including a hand grip having a tubular shank extendng longitudinally therefrom, a soldering point on the free end of said shank, a solder-bar feed tube extending between said hand grip and said point and connected at its respective opposite ends with said grip and point, respectively, said soldering point having a discharge orifice therein extending to said feed tube, said feed tube being adapted to accoinrncdate solder in bar form, a follower mounted in the feed tube for forcing the solder-bar towards the soldering point, air pressure producing means connected with said feed tube adjacent said hand grip, and an electrical heating device arranged within said shank and having direct con-- tact with said soldering point for heating the latter, said heating element having an elec' ."ic cord connected therewith and extending thro an orifice provided therefor in said hand g 1p, and a combination finger grip and. cord protector tube mounted on said hand grip and through which said cord is trained, and said air pressure producing means being in the form of a bulb directly connected to said tube and mount-- ed in proximity to said combination finger grip and electric cord protector tube, as and for the purpose specified.

JOSEPH SI-IINIPS, J R. 

